Why is caulking coming off?
 

I caulked the joint between the bathtub and the ceramic tile surrounding it
about 3 months ago. I used an siliconized latex caulk which was recommended
to me. And I did a very good job of cleaning the area before caulking, and
I used denatured alcohol as a final cleaning agents also.

Now, 3 months later, it appears that the caulking is not sticking well to
the ceramic tile nor the tub, for that matter. In some areas, it's just
loose and in other areas it appears to be lengthening and hence little
curls/bulges every inch or so for about 6 inches.

I'm about to remove all of the caulking and use 100% silicone caulking this
time.

Before I do so, does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

--

Mark

Why is caulking coming off?
 

Mark wrote:
I caulked the joint between the bathtub and the ceramic tile surrounding it
about 3 months ago. I used an siliconized latex caulk which was recommended
to me. And I did a very good job of cleaning the area before caulking, and
I used denatured alcohol as a final cleaning agents also.

Now, 3 months later, it appears that the caulking is not sticking well to
the ceramic tile nor the tub, for that matter. In some areas, it's just
loose and in other areas it appears to be lengthening and hence little
curls/bulges every inch or so for about 6 inches.

I'm about to remove all of the caulking and use 100% silicone caulking this
time.

Before I do so, does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

--

Mark

Caulk has an expiration date, yes it does go bad. Silicone is the only
way to go in a shower.

Why is caulking coming off?
 

Mark wrote:
I caulked the joint between the bathtub and the ceramic tile surrounding it
about 3 months ago. I used an siliconized latex caulk which was recommended
to me. And I did a very good job of cleaning the area before caulking, and
I used denatured alcohol as a final cleaning agents also.

Now, 3 months later, it appears that the caulking is not sticking well to
the ceramic tile nor the tub, for that matter. In some areas, it's just
loose and in other areas it appears to be lengthening and hence little
curls/bulges every inch or so for about 6 inches.

I'm about to remove all of the caulking and use 100% silicone caulking this
time.

Before I do so, does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

--

Mark

When you redo it again, put about 1/2 fill of water into the tub, and
let it cure before you let the water out. This allow the seal to be
installed while weight is in there.

Why is caulking coming off?
 

JGolan wrote:
Mark wrote:
I caulked the joint between the bathtub and the ceramic tile surrounding it
about 3 months ago. I used an siliconized latex caulk which was recommended
to me. And I did a very good job of cleaning the area before caulking, and
I used denatured alcohol as a final cleaning agents also.

Now, 3 months later, it appears that the caulking is not sticking well to
the ceramic tile nor the tub, for that matter. In some areas, it's just
loose and in other areas it appears to be lengthening and hence little
curls/bulges every inch or so for about 6 inches.

I'm about to remove all of the caulking and use 100% silicone caulking this
time.

Before I do so, does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

--

Mark

When you redo it again, put about 1/2 fill of water into the tub, and
let it cure before you let the water out. This allow the seal to be
installed while weight is in there.


OP-

I use PolySeamSeal brand caulking, this stuff never lets me down. It
is water clean up & can easily be tooled with a wet finger.

The suggestion of adding weight to the tub is a good one. Some
alcohols have other trace ingredients that might effect adhesion

Since the caulk appears to be "growing", are there any bathroom
cleaning agents in use that might be attacking the caulk.

Silicone is really good stuff but IMO it's a bitch to tool, clean up &
remove........I only use it when PolySeamSeal caulking will not do the
job.

cheers
Bob

Why is caulking coming off?
 

"Mark" wrote in message
ink.net...
I caulked the joint between the bathtub and the ceramic tile surrounding it
about 3 months ago. I used an siliconized latex caulk which was
recommended to me. And I did a very good job of cleaning the area before
caulking, and I used denatured alcohol as a final cleaning agents also.

Now, 3 months later, it appears that the caulking is not sticking well to
the ceramic tile nor the tub, for that matter. In some areas, it's just
loose and in other areas it appears to be lengthening and hence little
curls/bulges every inch or so for about 6 inches.

I'm about to remove all of the caulking and use 100% silicone caulking
this time.

Before I do so, does anyone have any idea what is wrong?

--

Did you have the tub full of water when you applied the caulk? If not, that
could be a cause of it. When a tub fills it does settle a bit, with some
caulks it causes it to seperate.

Second possibility is that the caulk was old, there are expirations.

Best bet, GE Silicone II Kitchen/Bath caulk. Clean all the old off, then
clean it again. Fill the tub. Dry all the edges and let it air dry for a
while. Apply the new caulk keeping the tub full for a minimum of over night
(longer if possible).

Good luck

Why is caulking coming off?
 

Does a cast iron tub settle? I could see a cheap fiberglass one
settling a lot, but what about cast iron?